• Graded • Etzos has Skills! [Kyin - GM]

[Maltruism]

[img]/gallery/image ... mage_id=21[/img]

"Etzos Has Skills!"

An Etzos "EVENT"

Saun 25, arc 717

The rumors were true!

Guidance Coordinator Marlin Tagley's face could be improved with a smile.

It was entirely possible the young Qi'ora sitting across from him was wishing he'd have taken that bet after all. But bet or no, his own day was shaping up nicely as the old fellow nodded and went on with his assessment of the logistics involved.

"Well no, I'm certainly not talking about a rental of the Crescent Arena or anything, but I am certain that the 'Inn for Dinner' would be happy to host such an event. I mean, you can't hold such a thing in the street. Let me speak to them first. Umm...you said you wanted to hold this on the 32nd? Your birthday, right? right. Sure, that's plenty of time.

"Wait just two trials, and then post an ad for it on the Bounty Board...yes, that really would be the best place for word-of-mouth advertising. I mean, you don't have time to get 'Imp Pressions' to make up flyers for you. Besides the owners of 'The Inn' will surely spread the news as well. In this case, even to their competitors in the drinking and gambling business. Nothing like showing up a rival with an idea they failed to come up with eh?"

Again the grin split his face jovially, "They'll want to door charge for the bother, of course. But I'm sure they'll split it. In fact, I'd say you could count on additional prize money for the winners. Instead of just your two hundred for the single winner. I can probably promise three times that for a split of three, two and one hundred for the top three acts. In fact, I guarantee it, even if I have to fork it over from my own pocket."

He punched the young man in the shoulder lightly but exuberantly, "Now as I said, wait a couple trials to post your notice. I have no doubt this will be an event to remember."

The smile turned a bit more calculating as the young Qi'oran left the office. There was a second reason he wanted this event held at the Inn for Dinner. As only a very few, very select people knew, the owners of that establishment, a sev'ryn couple named Mah'ludre and Velvessa Sej'lehna, were also little known "eyes-and-ears" employees of Chief Advisor Vuda.

Tagley realized it could very well be that nothing would come of this event. But if any of the contestants displayed any talents of particular note, beneficial or potentially seditious, Tagley knew that his boss would want to hear of it.

But this matter was concluded as much as could be for now. He would stop by The Inn after breaks to discuss it with the owners. For now, he slid all related scribblings off his desk into a drawer and tidied his appearance. "Next!" he called to the waiting room...

____________________________________________________

OCC: Okay, first off, total perks and kudos

(and blame)

to Kyin for this idea. I am only handling this small part to warn you all that Vuda's stooges will be watching, so any conniving may have repercussions. But hey, this is Etzos. Vuda is always watching. After this, it is all on Kyin as a guest-mod. I might be compelled to drop a bomb or two if called for. Time will tell...

Let Kyin make the next post, where he puts up his notice on the Bounty Board. It will include a sign-up template. After that, we will get underway.

[Kyin]

Saun 27, 717

Kyin had been waiting and waiting... and waiting! Forever, it seemed (It had only been two days), Kyin is not normally this excitable, in fact he doesn't remember a time he has ever been this excited. Anyways, the requisite 'couple of days' were up, and Kyin could start on the poster for the bounty board. Kyin had been working at Skin Deep Crafting all morning and was ready to take his break (during which he was planning on putting up the posters) so he grabbed thumb some tacks to hang up posters with. Kyin pulled out a couple of sheets of parchment from his notebook and began writing.

"TALENT SHOW AT 'INN FOR DINNER'
On Saun 32nd, there will be a talent show hosted by Kyin, that one Qi'Ora craftsman you probably don't know. The 1st place prize will be 300 golden nels, 2nd place prize will be 200 golden nels, and 3rd place prize will be 100 golden nels. 1st place will also get a super secret specialty prize provided by Kyin himself.
N.B. This is not a game of 'who is the best of the best' it is a game of reading a judge and finding what he wants, meaning you are not judged on skill, but on how much you entertain Kyin."

Kyin then copied the message onto a couple more pages, and it was time to head out to the bounty board.

When Kyin finally waded his way through the people looking at the bounty board and pinned the posters in the cork board.

~~~~~

OOC: Sign-ups are open until I start feeling overwhelmed, so first come first served.

Sign-Up Template

Code: Select all

[style=max-width: 710px; background-color: #e0e0e0; margin: auto; border: 2px solid #000; padding: 10px;][style2=max-width: 700; background-color: #fff; margin: auto; border: 2px solid #000; padding: 10px;]
[u]Character Name:[/u] 
[u]Acts Likely to be Performed:[/u] 
[u]NPCs (Optional, may help with 3 post minimum):[/u] 
[/style2][/style]

[Oberan]

Character Name: Oberan
Acts Likely to be Performed: Acrobatics, Juggling... maybe a "magic-- *cough Shenanigan Sphere cough*-- trick"
NPCs (Optional, may help with 3 post minimum): None? I think? I don't have any, so...

[Noth]

Character Name: Noth
Acts Likely to be Performed: *shrug*
NPCs (Optional, may help with 3 post minimum): I'll be bringing along my personal NPC crew, who will more than likely be doing most of the actual talent-ing.

[Nightshade Eld]

Character Name: Nightshade Eld
Acts Likely to be Performed: Undecided. It could be something to do with the typical singing or dancing, or someone might end up with a blade in their face by accident. I don't know you.
NPCs (Optional, may help with 3 post minimum): A pair of mercs I've been rather fond of as of late as well as one Blackguard with a special place is my heart. I'm sure everyone is going to love their contributions. They're all city NPC's I haven't actually had the time to make...

[Nauta F'mos Geey]

It was all of a sudden while F'mos was at work in the Kettle when Lizzie burst in, a large poster in hand. It was not often Lizzie was that excited unless the Aukari counted Parren's old contest and he was at least a little interested; enough to read the poster without any ideas of participating at least. If there was anyone he knew at the Kettle then who would join, it would be Lizzie who was just as enthusiastic about the events as she was in the previous season but F'mos knew, enthusiasm would not get her far. Not when "the show's on 32nd. You don't have a lot of time..."

Even with enough time, F'mos just could not see any worth in participating. It may have been satirical but whoever it was who prepared the posters was right. "I don't know no Kyin..." but Qi'ora craftsmen? Collectively they had a reputation which warranted some merit. Money of course was not what their reputation was built on but a super secret speciality prize? If it was to be one of those Qi'ora's work, it could very well turn out as something worth the effort to anyone who participated.

"I guess you want me to help you with your show?" he asked Lizzie. Simply put, F'mos could easily try to help her but "you're going to have to figure it out on your own." The Aukari just did not have any time to think up anything for Lizzie although if she gave him any ideas, there might just be something he could do for her. Until then, "you might want to find out more about this Kyin" as it seemed like he was going to judge the show according to his own tastes. As if the cook did not already know how hard it was to cater to the tastes of any one individual, especially when he had yet to be exposed to the other's tastes.

It was going to be such a pain but at least, it was not going to be his problem. He set Lizzie about her task for the rest of the day, to figure out what she was going to perform and to see if she could find out anything about Kyin which could help her. F'mos himself would remain at the Kettle as being the adult meant he needed more reliable means of making a living but maybe, just maybe, Lizzie might get lucky and the regulars of the Kettle might know something about this eccentric Qi'ora after all. The flow of information at the soup kitchen was one of the reasons why the Aukari did not mind working there, despite his opinion it may be a little beneath his station.

That said, he made no promises to Lizzie but regardless the outcome, the Qi'oras's show was going to be pretty interesting if his poster was any indication.

Character Name: Nauta
Acts Likely to be Performed: Weeeelllllllll...
NPCs (Optional, may help with 3 post minimum): Lizzie

[Kyin]

OOC: Hercule asked me to claim a spot for him, and he is going to have to be the last participant. otherwise this will take a really, really long time instead of just a really long time.
Character Name: Hercule Brannagh
Acts Likely to be Performed: Stand Up Comedy or something, all I know is he threw that idea out there
NPCs (Optional, may help with 3 post minimum): Pondiuk (Pond Duck) I think

[Hercule Brannagh]

Character Name: The Lord Hercule Brannagh, Aethestii of Ivorian, First Heir to Hyrium Brannagh, Inheritor of the Brannagh Fortune and Fleet, Slayer of the Sabaissant Strangler, Butcher of the Bayward Beast, Protector of the Potentate, Executioner of the Extra Planar, et cetera.
Acts Likely to be Performed: A dramatic reading of an Ivorian military campaign spanning sixty-four arcs, one battle at a time.
NPCs (Optional, may help with 3 post minimum): The most dutiful and compliant Squire, Pond Duck.

[Kyin]

Saun 32nd, 717

Kyin woke up, and bounded out of bed. Then he realized it was the ass-crack of dawn... "Shit!" Kyin muttered animatedly to himself "I overslept." Kyin put on his robes and fez. He started to work, he cut a cord and a big rectangular piece of leather, he punched a hole in the top corners of the rectangular piece. He continued to run the cord through it, and stamp "Etzos has Skills!" on it, before taking in under his arm and heading out the door.

By the time he made it to the Inn for Dinner it was early in breakfast. He posted the leather sing on the door, underneath the open sign. He saw the lady whose name he mostly remember, she ran the establishment,he waved and said, "Greetings, Ms. Velvidra!" only to receive his greetings in the form of a tin cup thrown at his head. While Ms. Velvessa saw the economic potential in 'Etzos has Skills', she loathed Kyin, who in turn found it funny to act chipper and happy when in her presence. Kyin didn't feel like catching the cup, and he felt like playing the victim, so he let it hit him in the upper lip, which split, because you know tin hurts... Kyin exaggerated his fall to the floor, and when he did finally come back up the blood from his lip had reached his chin, so he went to the bar, placed the tin cup on it, and requested as kindly as was possible for him, "Oi, Mind if I borrow this napkin for my facial bleeding?"

"Hmph!" Velverta grunted.

"I will take that as a 'yes'." Kyin said flatly, grabbing the napkin and stemming the bleeding with it. That was a pretty good example of how the rest of the day went.

By the time that early evening rolled around their was a steady trickle of participants and viewers, Velvinita was at the door collecting a fee for entry.
Kyin was sitting on the edge of a stage in the corner of the Tavern with his finger in a cup of water (he not only could drink through his mouth but also veins in his feet and hands). When the Tavern was at maximum occupancy Kyin launched himself onto his feet suddenly, "Hello Etzos! Are you ready to see an asshole judge people based on his level of entertainment?! Let's have a clean game!" Kyin shouted.

Kyin covered a side of his mouth from view of the owners of the establishment and mouthed the words, "If you cheat don't get caught."

Kyin pulled out a paper and said "first up is an Oberan, Is there an Oberan here?"

OOC: We will go down the sign-up list and after each performance post I will open up the floor for those who want to give their thoughts on the performance, then Kyin will respond with his thoughts during the performance, and call up the next person. Once I have posted Kyin's response no other participants should respond to that particular performance. Keep in mind you need 3 posts and 1,500 words for grading, and that there are 5 participants meaning you will need about 500 word responses to at least 2 other participants and your own performance. You can always give your response to all 4 other participants if you want, but only if Kyin hasn't responded yet.

[Oberan]

Oberan was used to performing for crowds. He had done so nearly his entire life, after all. He had done flips, he had juggled, he had let himself be cuffed, bound and restrained, and dumped in a fish tank, all for the sake of clinking coin. He’d experienced successes, he’d suffered failures. He’d been awarded with thunderous applause, but he’s also been lashed with booing and a hail of rotten vegetables and the like. He had grown up in a traveling troupe of performers, he had assisted them in their acts, and he had developed his own. By all means, he should have had this one in the bag. There should have been no doubt that he would win this easily. His shows would have put an expression of awe and wonder on the faces of all who witnessed them. The sheer mindboggling tricks and stunts he could do would have gotten him first place, and a coin purse of three hundred gold nels. And even if his show was not good enough, if the jury was not impressed, he could influence their minds by adding a little bit of thrill to their experience, resulting in a performance that would leave their heart racing and their breathing ragged! A show like they had never experienced before, and never would again!

However, there was one nasty little thing standing between him and the glory of old. A jail sentence having lasted ten arcs, dulling his edge to the point that he could as well have been another novice third rate street performer. All of what he could have done was way out of reach. What he did have, however, was experience. There were things that certain crowds found entertaining, and certain things they did not. In this case, only one person actually mattered: the judge. He was the key figure here, and according to the pamphlet, the performances would be rated not on skill (which really made the title of the event rather, well, wrong and misleading) but on the entertainment value. With this crucial information in the back of his head, he had come up with a plan which would give him, or so he believed, a fair chance at the prizemoney.

A good performer knew how to play the crowds, and Oberan too knew that getting them excited for what was to come was important. Usually, one would work up to the heart of the show, to the best act in the repertoire. Each act would be a little more complex, a little more difficult, a little more dangerous. And then, the performer would end with their best act. If done right, the crowds would go wild. If the act failed, or if it just was not up to par with the rest, there would be anti-climax and certainly no applause. The audience would go home not with the thrill of the entire performance in mind, but with the disappointment of the last act. Kind of when you went dining and the dessert was bad. It ruined the rest of the meal, in a way. Endings were important. They had to be satisfying.

Therefore, Oberan had decided to play the crowd a little at the start, then to subvert expectations. He knew he probably was no match for any of the other contestants anymore, but he really did not have to be. His skill may have waned, but that only played in his advantage at the moment. If he had learned anything in his arcs on this mortal realm, it was that people loved to see others fail. They liked seeing failure and pain, often laughing as if it was the best of comedy. Not everyone, but most did. The mortals were cruel creatures. It made sense, them being created by the Immortals in their liking. What made the mortalborn sure this would work was that he’d asked the proprietress of the inn about this Kyin when he signed up. An asshole, she had said. If there was ever anyone who enjoyed pain and failure of others more than anyone else, were it not the assholes?

So it was that when his name was called, Bran pushed through the crowd, making his way to the stage quicker and quicker when a path opened up for him. He ran through it, picking up speed on the way, helped a little by leeching some thrill from someone in the audience. Not a lot, just a tiny bit to give him some more strength and focus, to impress the crowd with his entrance. He jumped into the air, completing half a backflip so his head was now facing down. His hands planted themselves on the edge of the stage. Bending his elbows for a moment, the mortalborn then launched himself further, completing the flip just barely. Instead of falling on his ass, he managed to land in a low crouch, and stood back up triumphantly, turning to the crowd with a large grin.

”There is in fact an Oberan present!” he called out, bowing shallowly. His newly bought green-and-red outfit stood out brightly on the stage. A jester’s uniform, some might call it, and Bran might agree with them. After all, it was bright, colorful, and comfortable enough to do flips and other stunts in. The tips of the shoes curled upwards, and though Bran had foregone the traditional cap, he wore a wider rimmed green hat with a large red feather on top. A true sight to behold for sure.
”Dear guests, it is my sincerest honor to welcome you to this grand event!” he boomed loud enough to be heard everywhere, without sounding as if he were actually shouting. ”It is an equally great honor to kick off the magnificent spectacle you are about to behold, but first, please let me hear a thunderous applause for our most generous host, the birthtrial boy, the man himself! KYIN!!!” He threw his arms in the Qi’ora’s direction, hoping the crowd did at least cooperate.

It was time to begin the act itself. An employee of the Inn placed a basket on the stage, which Oberan swiftly cartwheeled towards. Then, basket in hand, he made his way to the center of the stage, discarding the rag covering up the contents with a flourish. Inside it were at least a dozen eggs. Oberan picked out one, which he held at eyelevel, showing it to the crowd.
”For my first act, I will juggle these raw eggs!” he revealed, crushing the egg in his hand to show they were indeed raw. The shell burst open and splattered its contents right in his face. A great start.

Quickly, Bran wiped away the egg from his face, threw his hat in a corner of the stage, and collected three eggs in each hand. That just could not go right in any possible way. Although, he was still under the effect of this leeched thrill, although it was fading quickly now. He had no time, nor desire to really build up his act, then fail massively, but that was fine. He’d keep his act, and subsequent humiliation brief. That was only a good thing. For now though, he had just about enough time to throw all six eggs up in quick succession, then catch them with in his hands, three in each. And then he was back to his ordinary self, now hindered slightly by the exposure to his boon. No matter, the deed was done, his impression had been made. He had done his flips, he had shown a semblance of juggling skills. Now he needed neither of those anymore.

Again he threw the eggs up in the air, high enough so he would have had enough time to juggle them with ease… if he’d been well practiced. Now though, he was far too slow, his hands did their best, but could not catch all of the eggs. Worse, he had not even thrown them in the correct arc, so where they would end up was not under his control. One egg hit him square in the forehead, bursting open and spilling in his left eye. A second hit him in the shoulder. The third collided with one he’d just thrown back up, the both of them breaking. Raw egg splattered all over Bran’s chest and feet. The last egg went in the air, and the white on his forehead trickled into his other eye, taking away his vision completely. He cursed softly, straightened up to wipe it away, and the last two fell down. One hit the floor right next to him, the final egg, however, cracked itself open on his head.

There was an awkward moment where Oberan just stood there for a moment before seemingly collecting his wits, dismissing the humiliation, and decided to continue. He coughed in his fist as if to clear his throat, then opening his mouth to speak. ”Next, I will perform some acrobatics,” he said as confident as anyone would in this situation, his eyes darting to and fro. First came a backflip, which mostly worked out rather well, though upon landing the thief lost his balance and stumbled backwards He did not fall though, waving his arms wildly to keep himself upright. He attempted a front flip next, running a few paces to add momentum. However, as he jumped, his feet lost grip on the wood of the stage, bits of raw egg making the underground very slippery, and instead of a flip, Oberan faceplanted in the egg basket instead, crushing them all with his face. He broke nothing himself, having caught himself with his arms, but the whole of his head and face was coated in translucent slime and yellow liquid. Slowly he raised himself up from his position, put his hat back on, and bowed again, ending his performance. Then he removed himself from the stage, grinning widely as soon as his expression could no longer be seen by the judge. Though embarrassing and not entirely under control, all went according to plan.

► Show Spoiler

red and green tunic with bells(wool) (0.8*2.2*6.8*0.2)=2.4gn
Red and green pants (wool) (2*2.2*6.8)= 22.6gn
red socks (wool) (1*6)=6gn
green dancing shoes (leather) (2*1.8*4) =14.4gn
green hat (wool) with red feather (2*2.2*1.8*0.6)=2.4gn
a dozen eggs= 5sn
total= 43.3gn